Natural Disasters in Turkey and Natural Disaster Profile of Bursa
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International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE) Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2016, PP 1-10 ISSN 2349-0373 (Print) & ISSN 2349-0381 (Online) http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.0304001 www.arcjournals.org Natural Disasters in Turkey and Natural Disaster Profile of Bursa Muharrem Aydın Bursa Orhangazi University, Turkey Abstract: Disasters have always been destructive for humankind throughout history. In respect of its geological and geomorphological structure, Turkey experienced many disasters, both natural and human-instigated or technological disasters in its history. However, it is not possible to say that we are well prepared to disasters. Among disasters, this study touchs upon only natural disasters and analizes natural disasters occured in Bursa and risk areas. Role of natural disasters in the history of Bursa Province, determination of risk areas for prospective disasters and measures taken were reseacrhed and investigated. Various statistical data received from DMEA (Disaster Management and Emergency Authority) and Erathquake Department of DMEA was shown in this study both in tables and by utilizing various programmes reqired and by mapping using GIS methods. In addition, reports prepared both by Metropolitan Municipality of Bursa and NGOs were also utilised. Natural disaster areas and risk areas in Bursa Province were shown in maps in the study, settlement conditions were also presented. It is seen in this study that rather than earthquakes, landslides and floods have been more effective in Bursa Province. As a consequence, it appeared that Bursa Province is conducive to various natural disasters such as eartquake, landslide, flood, spate, and more importantly, the risk areas were opened to settleme nt, resulting a significant risk to lives of settlers. Keywords: Disaster, Natural Disaster, Bursa, Landslide, Earthquake, Geographic Information System (GIS), Physical Geopraphy Features 1. INTRODUCTION Turkey, due to its geological and geomorphological structure, is conducive to natural origin disasters, and to human-instigated disasters in respect of its geopolitical position. Every year, various instigated disasters occur in many places of the world, and thousands of lives and huge amounts of property are being lost as a result of these disasters. Definition of disaster is not well understood in our country. We are mistaken to define every huge incident as disaster. Although there is not a consensus on the definition, I would like to quote herewith some of the definitions brought to disaster: Cases where sources allocated for fighting off all natural or unnatural conditions remains inadequate, or capacity of coping with such cases is overwhelming is named as disaster. In other words, events become disaster when sources allocated for coping with emergency cases are inadequate. The term disaster could be used not only for natural events, but also human and technology-instigated events. Effective area of the event is not the primarily important factor to define a case as disaster, but the effects of the event and sufficiency of resources to cope with the case (Güngör, 2014). Disasters in the broadest sense, are nature, human or technologic instigated events resulting in physical, economic and social loss for human beings, affecting societies by ceasing or suspending normal daily lives and human activities, and impossible for the society affected from the event to cope with and overcome with their own source (Özmen, 2005). Another definition brought to disaster states “results of natural or human and technology- instigated events that result in physical, economic, social and environmental loss on human beings and human settlements by ceasing or suspending normal life and human activities” (Ergünay, 2006). Disasters, in respect of their generation, could be examined in three categories as Natural Disasters, Technology Instigated Disasters, and Human Instigated or Human-made Disasters. However, this study deals only on natural disasters, composed of meteorological, geological and hydrological events. Considering generation and developing consequences, natural disaster could be defined as “natural ground or air motion that suddenly generated or developed over a certain period of time, affecting normal life by disturbing daily routines on settlement and production areas” (Tabban, 2015). ©ARC Page | 1 Muharrem Aydın Natural disasters could be seen both at different places at different times, and and at the same place in various types. Magnitude and effect of natural disasters could be different, time of natural disasters could also vary, and in other words, a natural disaster could last longer or shorter in respect of time. They generally stun and shock human beings, cause loss of lives and property. Generally speaking, natural disastersresult in huge economic loss can influence economic investments and can result in migration. Natural Disasters could be categorised as; Earthquake Landslide Tsunami Volcanic Eruption Flood Avalanche Storm Drought Climatic Changes Forest Fires Tornado Rock Fall Storms (Hurricane, tornado, typhoon, etc.) Air pollution Natural disasters have been effective throughout centuries and caused large number of lives and billions of property loss. Considering the lack of technological opportunities in the past, loss of lives for human beings in the past has been relatively huge as they were unprepared to cope with natural disasters. In the light of modern proper technological development, more accurate predictions and detections could be made at present. However, negligence and carelessness of human beings cause desctructive and devastating results, badly affecting themselves at the consequence. Natural disasters generally have a big destructive power. Besides the natural event causing disasters, social, political and economic features of the society where the disaster occurs have great importance in the existence of a disaster (Gherardi, 1998; Lomnitz, 1994; Mc Entire, 2001; Short et al, 1998). In this regard, disasters in a social environment occur as a result of association of vulnerability sources and dangers (Wisner et al, 2003). Vulnerability states “the characteristics of a person or group and their situation that influence their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from the impact of a natural hazard” (Wisner et al, 2003). While natural disasters have such a great destructive power, and such important role in shaping the surface, negligence of human beings for the environment they live has been costly and overwhelming for ages. 2. MATERIAL AND METHOD First of all, relevant literature review was done. At the outset definition of disaster was investigated, and information and statistical data on disasters in Turkey were collected. Besides, information and statistical data on natural disasters occured in Bursa Province were collected; all data were transfered into Geographic Information System (GIS) medium by ArcGIS/ArcMao 10 software using Microsoft Excel and Access 2010. Maps obtained both from national and local sources were also used. 3. NATURAL DISASTERS IN TURKEY Turkey, due to its geological and topographic structure and climatic features, frequenly faces natural disasters. Besides loss of lives, natural disasters also bring about significant economic loss for Turkey (Özmen, 2005). International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE) Page | 2 Natural Disasters in Turkey and Natural Disaster Profile of Bursa Various natural disasters often occur in Turkey at various times. Earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches and rock falls are among the most frequent disasters experienced in Turkey (Ildır, 1995). Due to its tectonic and geological structure, topography and climatic features, Turkey time to time faced various natural disasters (Table 1). In consideration of probable and potential disasters, such disasters could result in considerable loss of lives, injuries and loss of property. Taking the geological and geomorphological structure of our country into account, earthquakes being in the first place, various disasters such as landslides, floods, overflows, and rock falls are experienced. Besides, forest fires and erosion are among important natural disasters that Turkey face. These disasters also bering about important environmental problems. Number of people lost their lives in Turkey at natural disasters occured in the last 70 years is 100.000, number of damaged houses is 600.000, and number of houses affected from earthquakes by some means is around 500.000. 1000 people on average die at earthquakes each year, 2100 injured and 7000 buildings damaged (Keleş, 2002; Erdik, 1999; Kiper, 2001). Table1. Some of Natural Disasters Occured in Turkey (2000 - 2015) Number of Number of Number of Loss of Disaster Type Injured Demolished Damaged Disasters Lİves Buildings Buildings Landslide 3.158 17 9 231 4.217 Earthquake 1.007 659 4.258 2.479 90.379 Flood 809 72 47 201 33.295 Avalanche 497 33 28 13 122 Extreme Winter 619 131 797 0 0 Conditions Storm/Typhoon 1.398 172 152 4 883 Fire 1.507 22 34 2 124 Total 8.995 1.106 5.325 2.930 129.020 Source: Republic of Turkey, Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority As seen in the above table, natural disasters caused considerable loss of lives and property even in recent history of Turkey. As a result of natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, avalanche, extreme winter conditions, storms and fires, over 60.000 people died in Turkey since the